253: What Education Actually Matters for Police Officers and Leaders w/ Capt. Bill Fraass (ret.)

2025-09-22

Standards. Hiring requirements. Headlines popping up with education requirements being proposed - a college degree - whereas other departments are dropping such items.In this episode, I am joined by Bill Fraass, who helps break down the pros and cons of educational requirements, but what we may be missing. We discuss what police agencies and the public want in officers, what makes successful officers and leaders, what departments are hiring for, and how to actually detect and measure those capacities.We t...

Standards. Hiring requirements. Headlines popping up with education requirements being proposed - a college degree - whereas other departments are dropping such items.

In this episode, I am joined by Bill Fraass, who helps break down the pros and cons of educational requirements, but what we may be missing. We discuss what police agencies and the public want in officers, what makes successful officers and leaders, what departments are hiring for, and how to actually detect and measure those capacities.

We talk about formal academic education, dynamics of police training, real-world "life" experience, and much more.

William started his career with the Sausalito (CA) Police Department on May 21, 1996 as 19 year old Reserve Officer. During the following 27 years, William rose through the ranks to Captain with his last active duty assignment being Acting Chief of Police before suffering an injury that led to his medical retirement in 2023.

A progressive law enforcement leader with extensive administrative, patrol, and investigative experience, William served in many diverse assignments. He is a graduate of the FBI's National Academy and has a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice specializing in Law Enforcement Management and Terrorism/Homeland Security.

William is the author of the book Leadership in Law Enforcement: 10 Key Traits and What Law Enforcement Agencies Can Do To Develop These In Future Leaders. William is now the Managing Consultant/Owner of Code 33 Consulting LLC, a consulting group that focuses on providing consulting, training, administrative investigation, and expert witness services to public safety agencies, private businesses, and public/community groups.

code33consulting.com

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*the opinions expressed in all episodes of this podcast and related materials do not reflect on any departments agencies.

music credit: Drive by AShamaluevMusic

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